Key Points
- Firefighters have made some progress in the battle to contain wildfires raging across Los Angeles.
- At least 24 people have died in the fires, including an Australian man.
- Strong winds up to 110km/h may return this week, triggering more evacuations.
Firefighters are racing to contain the frontiers of two Los Angeles wildfires burning for a sixth straight day, taking advantage of a brief respite in hazardous conditions before high winds were expected to fan the flames anew.
It comes as the authorities said on Sunday that 24 people have been confirmed dead in the fires.
Three fires are still active, according to officials: the largest, the Palisades fire, is only 13 per cent contained; the Eaton fire has reached 27 per cent containment; and the Hurst blaze is almost completely extinguished.
Over the past 24 hours, the Palisades fire spread over an additional 400 hectares, now covering more than 9,500 hectares, and consuming more homes, officials reported.
"LA County had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak," Los Angeles County supervisor Lindsey Horvath said on Sunday.
Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins said the Palisades fire had spread into the Mandeville Canyon and threatened to jump into Brentwood, an upscale neighbourhood that is home to many celebrities, and the San Fernando Valley. It also inched toward the 405 freeway — a major north–south interstate highway in Southern California.
Some 14,000 personnel from across California and eight other states across the country are fighting the blazes, as well as units that have been sent from Canada and Mexico.
War-ravaged Ukraine has also offered to send volunteers to assist, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying 150 firefighters have now been prepared for a potential deployment.
"This is currently being coordinated, and we have offered our assistance to the American side through the relevant channels," he said in a video posted on X.
Australian man among 24 dead in LA fires
, who shared a Malibu property with his mother, is among those confirmed dead in the fires.
The 32-year-old had cerebral palsy and was living in a self-contained cottage near the main house.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Sykes' death was "a tragedy".
Some residents were allowed to return to the sites of their ruined homes on Saturday to see what they could salvage. Source: AAP / Michael Ho Wai Lee
"DFAT is in close contact with his family. We're providing consular assistance through this devastating time".
The blazes have now damaged or destroyed more than 12,000 structures — including houses, sheds and cars — with whole neighbourhoods reduced to ruins, destroying the properties of the rich and famous and ordinary people alike.
Severe winds to return
Although the Santa Ana winds that have fanned the flames had calmed over the weekend, the National Weather Service warned stronger gusts of up to 110km/h could return early this week.
Local officials said they expect the strongest winds to occur on Tuesday.
Evacuation orders throughout the Los Angeles area now cover 153,000 residents.
Another 166,000 residents have been warned they may have to evacuate, LA County sheriff Robert Luna said.
The United States Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has confirmed active duty military personnel are ready to support the firefighting effort and is encouraging those affected to begin filing for disaster relief.
FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell said: "We have the funding to support this response, to support this recovery."
However, president-elect Donald Trump has continued to criticise local and state officials.
"The fires are still raging in LA. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place ... they just can't put out the fires. What's wrong with them?" he said on his Truth Social media feed.
Los Angeles Board of Supervisors chair Kathryn Barger said she has invited Trump — who takes office on 20 January — to visit the county to get a first-hand look at the destruction.
